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Residential Life: Living Your Faith

The Muslim and SChalom (Jewish) floor at Parkside is not new to USC; however over the past few years the Office of Religious Life (ORL) has revitalized the program. After listening the needs of the floor’s residents, ORL has worked with the Office of Residential Education to make the changes needed to ensure the floor better supports the resident’s faith development.

While the floors are open to all students the Muslim/ SChalom floor offers Muslim and Jewish students a safe space to explore their faith with their peers. The floor is comprised of two adjoining wings of two-person apartments, all with individual kitchens and bathrooms. This allows students to keep Halal or Kosher, if they wish, and space if the student plans to use their room for prayer. The floor is open to all grade levels (from first-year to graduate students) and cultural backgrounds.

The Office of Religious Life supports the Residential Education staff of the floor by providing resources for religiously themed programs, speakers and faculty members for floor events/discussions, and advocacy for the issues that matter most to the students. ORL also encourages floor collaboration with the many Muslim and Jewish organizations on and near campus. These include the relevant Religious Directors, Hebrew Union College, Omar Ibn Al Khattab Foundation, USC’s Muslim Student Union, USC Chabad, USC Hillel, and the Center for Muslim Jewish Engagement through USC’s Center for Religion and Civic Culture.

The Muslim and SChalom Floor at USC prides itself for being one of the few religiously themed special interest floors in the nation and the only to be as intentional concerning Muslim and Jewish student engagement. We hope to provide a space with Muslim and Jewish can truly live their faith and are encouraged to reach out, explore, and discuss the faiths of others.

If you are interested in learning more about the floor and how to apply please contact the Director of Residential Life for the Office of Religious Life, Sable Manson at smanson@usc.edu.

Muslim Housing in Parkside Apartments

USC’s Muslim Housing provides a venue for the exploration of Muslim culture and Muslim life. Muslim Housing units are designated as substance-free and have individual kitchens that enable residents to prepare halal food and share Islamic holidays with friends. Through conferences and social activities held with USC Muslim organizations, you will learn how Islam relates to other faiths.

SChalom (Jewish) Housing in Parkside Apartments

SChalom Housing gives you the opportunity to live with Jewish students, explore Jewish culture and connect with the Jewish community. If you keep kosher, you’ll be especially pleased that the apartments have individual kitchens. USC Jewish organizations also help bring Jewish cultural and religious activities to the floor

Muslim and Jewish Engagement

Both the Muslim wing and the SChalom reside on the 6th floor of Parkside apartments. While each wing has their own Resident Advisor these adjoining wings will also collaborate on programming and events to better promote Muslim and Jewish engagement.